DHAKA: BNP will propose names to appoint chief election commissioner (CEC) and election commissioners though they have no trust on search committee formed by the President Abdul Hamid.

The Search Committee on Saturday (January 28) asked 31 political parties, those conducted talks with the President Abdul Hamid on Election Commission (EC) reformation, to suggest five names by January 31.

Cabinet secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said this to the journalists.

After the decision, Banglanews talked with some BNP leaders about this issue while some leaders propose to submit the names.

Earlier in the morning, BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir told Banglanews around 3:00pm that the decision will come from the party.

The senior leader said this while he was paying homage at Zia’s graveyard adding that this committee was formed to work for people though there is a little hope now.

On Wednesday (January 25), the president Abdul Hamid formed a six-member search committee led by Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain.

The committee instructed to suggest prospective names in the next 10 working days to form new election commissioners. Later, the president will form EC with at least five-member.

The six-member body, led by Supreme Court’s Appellate Division judge Syed Mahmud Hossain, comprises of High Court Justice Obaidul Hassan, Public Service Commission Chairman Mohammad Sadiq, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Masud Ahmed, Dhaka University English Department Professor Syed Manzoorul Islam, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University Shireen Akhter.
    
The Search Committee on Saturday held its first meeting with the president and invited the political parties to suggest names for CEC and Election Commissioners.

BDST: 1825 HRS, JAN 28, 2017
LM/BD